Living systems are all made of many molecular components that self- assemble, recognize as well as control each other and self- replicate
... How can it be that proteins,
describable by the laws of physics, assemble themselves into cellular machines
and structures, these into complete living cells, and the latter into whole
organisms that require a whole new language for their description? Opportunities
in Molecular Biomedicine in the Era of Teraflop Computing, March
3 & 4, 1999, Rockville, MD

Adenosine Triphosphate ATP:
Adenosine 5'- (tetrahydrogen triphosphate). An adenine nucleotide containing three phosphate groups esterified to the sugar moiety. In addition to its crucial roles in metabolism adenosine triphosphate is a neurotransmitter.
MeSH

Alliance for Cellular Signaling AfCS:
The overall goal of the Alliance for Cellular Signaling is to understand as completely as possible the relationships between sets of inputs and outputs in signaling cells that vary both temporally and spatially. The same goal, stated from a slightly different perspective, is to understand fully how cells interpret signals in a context-dependent manner. This will
involve identification of all the proteins that comprise the various signaling systems, the assessment of
time- dependent information flow through the systems in both normal and pathological states, and finally the reduction of the mass of detailed data into a set of interacting theoretical models that describe cellular signaling.
www.signaling-gateway.orgRelated term: cellular signaling

angiogenesis:
Angiogenesis, the growth of new capillary blood
vessels in the body, is an important natural process in the body used for
healing and reproduction. The body controls angiogenesis by producing a precise
balance of growth and inhibitory factors in healthy tissues. When this balance
is disturbed, the result is either too much or too little angiogenesis. Abnormal
blood vessel growth, either excessive or insufficient, is now recognized as a
“common denominator” underlying many deadly and debilitating conditions,
including cancer, skin diseases, age-related blindness, diabetic ulcers,
cardiovascular disease, stroke, and many others. Angiogenesis Foundation "Understanding
Angiogenesis http://www.angio.org/understanding/understanding.html
Angiogenesis Inhibitors, NIH, US http://www.cancer.gov/clinical_trials/doc.aspx?viewid=e68213b0-db75-474a-b35f-1b3496a2dd30

apoptosis: The molecular and morphological processes leading to
controlled cellular self- destruction was first introduced in a publication by
Kerr, Wyllie and Currie (Br. J. Cancer, 1972, 26: 239). 'Apoptosis' is of Greek
origin, having the meaning "falling off or dropping off", in analogy
to leaves falling from trees or petals from flowers. By choosing this term, the
authors might have intended to stress that this form of cell death is a natural
phenomenon, an active and defined process which plays an important role in the
regulation of the cell population in tissues upon physiological and pathological
conditions. Apoptotic cell death can be induced by a variety of stimuli, such as
ligation of cell surface receptors, starvation, growth factor/ survival factor
deprivation, heat shock, hypoxia, DNA damage, viral infection, and cytotoxic/
chemotherapeutical agents. The apoptotic process is of widespread
biological significance, and it was reported to be involved in embryogenesis,
differentiation, proliferation/ homoeostasis, removal of defect and therefore
harmful cells, and especially in the regulation and function of the immune
system. Thus, dysfunction or disregulation of the apoptotic program is
implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, such as immunodeficiency,
auto- immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Apoptopedia,
Cell Death Encyclopedia, 2001 http://www.celldeath.de/encyclo/index.html
Click on A, go to Apoptosis entry and click on more.

One of the two mechanisms by which CELL DEATH
occurs (the other being the pathological process of NECROSIS). Apoptosis
is the mechanism responsible for the physiological deletion of cells and
appears to be intrinsically programmed. It is characterized by distinctive
morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, chromatin cleavage at
regularly spaced sites, and the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA
(DNA FRAGMENTATION) at internucleosomal sites. This mode of cell death
serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues
and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth. MeSH,
1993 Broader term: cell
death See also programmed cell death.
Apoptopedia,
CellDeath.de, Germany http://www.celldeath.de/encyclo/index.html
Apoptosis glossary, Biosource International, US http://www.biosource.com/content/literatureContent/apopglossary/glossary.asp

cell adhesion
molecules:
Surface ligands, usually
glycoproteins, that mediate cell- to- cell adhesion. Their functions include the
assembly and interconnection of various vertebrate systems, as well as
maintenance of tissue integration, wound healing, morphogenic movements,
cellular migrations, and metastasis. MeSH, 1990

cell biology:
Modern cell biology is a dynamic discipline that combines the interests of a
variety of scientific fields including molecular biology, biochemistry,
biophysics, microbiology, physiology, developmental biology, cytology, and
genetics--fields that were once almost completely independent of each other.
Cell biologists are at the core of scientific research, investigating the basic
structural and functional units of life: the cells that compose all living
organisms. Many different approaches are used in the study of cellular processes
including biochemical and physical analysis of molecules and cells in culture,
mathematics and computer sciences, light and electron microscopy, and molecular
genetics American Society Cell BIology Facets of Cell Biology http://www.ascb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255&Itemid=18

cell cycle: The growth cycle of a cell from one division
to the next. In eukaryotic cells the growth cycle is divided into the following
4 phases: G1- phase: the period of the cycle beginning after mitosis and
preceding the initiation of DNA synthesis. S-phase: discrete period of cell
cycle when most DNA synthesis occurs. G2- phase: period of cell cycle when cells
contain twice the G1 complement of DNA. M-phase: division of the cell into two
(cf. mitosis), each with one complete genome. IUPAC Biotech

The complex series of phenomena, occurring between the end of one cell
division and the end of the next, by which cellular material is divided
between daughter cells. MeSH, 1978
Related terms: meiosis, mitosis; Proteins
checkpoint control
proteins; Functional
genomics

cell cycle proteins: Proteins that control the cell division cycle. This family of proteins includes a wide variety of classes, including
CYCLIN- DEPENDENT KINASES, mitogen- activated kinases, CYCLINS, and phosphoprotein phosphatases
(PHOSPHOPROTEIN PHOSPHATASE) as well as their putative substrates such as
chromatin- associated proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, and transcription
factors. MeSH, 1995 Related terms: cell
cycle; Expression: transcription factors

cell death:
The termination of the cell's ability to carry out
vital functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, responsiveness, and
adaptability. MeSH 1992 See also programmed cell death.
Narrower term: apoptosis

cell differentiation:
Progressive restriction of the developmental
potential and increasing specialization of function which takes place during
the development of the embryo and leads to the formation of specialized
cells, tissues, and organs. MeSH, 1966 Related terms:
Stem cells multipotent, pluripotent, , totipotent

cell function: The level at which we wish to understand the function of the cell determines to a large
extent the degree of experimental reductionism required. The smallest building block
required to understand the function of the cell appears to be the protein. While the genetic
sequence provides the basic informational foundation of the cell, it is the network of
protein- gene, protein- protein, and protein- metabolite
interactions - the fluxes and flows of material and information - which result in cell function.
Studies of whole cell dynamics currently employ optical imaging of diffusion, generally
through the use of steady state or dynamic photobleaching recovery methods. Associated
with such studies is the need to label specific intracellular entities. Expansion of these
approaches to include the wealth of protein species in the cell will involve development of
new labeling methods, new dyes and means of introducing them; widely scaling imaging
techniques permitting examination of the whole cell or of intracellular compartments;
NMR micro- imaging techniques, particularly those sensitive to chemical species;
environmental EM techniques, which may provide the capability of rapid single cell
microprobe analysis; creative evanescent wave approaches to characterizing the cell
membrane; and new tools capable of mechanical assessment of global (and local) mechanical properties of the cell.
... Ultimately, the systematic characterization of cell biology will be the result of the efforts
of a great many laboratories integrated over many years. Archiving and interpreting
(understanding) these results will require coordination at all levels. Whether or not the
paradigm of the Human Genome Project is appropriate for integrating such cell-
level studies was discussed at length with the full realization that overriding clinical,
pharmaceutical, and cell biology questions may ultimately focus the effort more effectively
than a central coordinating agency. Whatever organizational paradigm is employed, there
are fundamental and overriding infrastructural issues which must be addressed at the
outset, the most urgent of which are the development of enabling technologies and the
creation of highly defined panels of cell types for the use of the research
community National Center for Research Resources "Integrated Genomics
Technologies Workshop Report" Jan 1999

cell
migration:
A broad term
that we use to refer to those processes that involve the translation of cells
from one location to another. This may occur in non-live environments, such as
soil (e.g. the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum) or on
glass/plastic (common in vitro setups), or within complex,
multicellular organisms. Cells migrate in response to multiple situations they
encounter during their lives... It is generally convenient to parse migration
into a useful set of component processes, which are often regulated by the same
effectors regardless of the cell type and the mode of migration. These processes
include polarization, protrusion and adhesion, translocation of the cell body
and retraction of the rear. These processes are coordinated and integrated by
extensive transient, signaling networks. Cell Migration Consortium/Nature
Cell Migration Gateway http://cellmigration.org/science/index.shtml
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_migration

cell patterning:
Cell-cell signaling is an important component of the stem cell
microenvironment, affecting both differentiation and self-renewal. However,
traditional cell-culture techniques do not provide precise control over
cell-cell interactions, while existing cell patterning technologies are limited
when used with proliferating or motile cells. To address these limitations, we
created the Bio Flip Chip (BFC), a microfabricated polymer chip containing
thousands of microwells, each sized to trap down to a single stem cell. Cell
Patterning Chip for Controlling the Stem Cell Microenvironment Adam Rosenthal,1,2 Alice Macdonald,3
and Joel Voldman2 Biomaterials. Author manuscript; available in PMC
2008 July 1. Published in final edited form as: Biomaterials.
2007 July; 28(21): 3208–3216. Published online 2007 March 27. doi: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1929166/

cell phenotype: Examples
of cell phenotypes found in the literature include life and death cell
phenotypes, and gene expression studies of cancer cells. Related term: biomarkers,
cell genotype

cell physiology:
While it [prediction of the three- dimensional structure and
function of proteins from their linear sequence information] would be a remarkable accomplishment, the future achievement of a satisfactory
protein
structure/ function predictive capability will simply provide a second important substratum
upon which to begin the exploration of the intricacies of the operation of the living cell,
since it is the interactions among cell proteins which, in large part, define cell physiology.
Biologists understand a great deal about the protein constituents of cells, their roles in
metabolism, the signaling roles of small molecules and selective modifications of
intracellular proteins, and how cellular structures assemble themselves and transduce
energy, but it is unlikely that a useful understanding of the cell will be possible until a
quantitative appreciation of both rates and equilibria of molecular processes in the living
cell is achieved. National Center for Research Resources "Integrated
Genomics Technologies Workshop Report" Jan 1999

cellular
reprogramming: Advances in reprogramming cellular mechanisms are
transforming biomedical research and offer new insights on the etiology,
development, and potential treatment of various diseases. The Journal
emphasizes novel approaches for understanding the cellular and molecular
mechanisms that underlie the phenomenon of reprogramming Journal of CellularReprogramming,
Mary Ann Liebert http://www.liebertpub.com/products/product.aspx?pid=9Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reprogramming
Related terms: epigenetics, stem cells

cellular metabolism:
New genomic tools, particularly DNAmicroarrays,
provide a previously unattainable global view of how gene expression
patterns respond to various physiological stimuli, to mutations, and in disease
states. Such knowledge provides a basis for insights into cellular metabolism
that were not possible by studies of a few selected genes at a time. However, a
DNA microarray, or any nucleic acid- based [DNA or RNA] methodology, is blind to
many events that occur at the protein
level. Therefore, they provide an indirect and incomplete picture of cellular
function and hence additional information is needed for advancing human
medicine and health care. The field of proteomics
seeks to supply this knowledge by revealing the levels, activities, regulation,
and interactions of every protein in the cell and how these quantities respond
to a particular stimulus (e.g. drug, food, infection) or disease state or DNA
alteration. In essence, proteomics builds on and complements the knowledge
gained from genomics.This
significant effort in proteomics will provide discoveries about the cells'
protein machinery that will likely yield important clinical
applications. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, Proteomics
Initiative, NIH, US, 2001 http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HL-02-004.html

cellular signaling:
Cell signaling is at the core of most biological processes and represents a vibrant area of research. Signaling Update provides a
one- stop overview of what's happening in cell signaling for the specialist researcher and the interested
non- specialist alike. Nature Publishing Group and AfCS http://www.signaling-update.org/ Related term: Alliance for Cellular Signaling AfCS

centromere:
The clear constricted portion of the chromosome at
which the chromatids are joined and by which the chromosome is attached
to the spindle during cell division. MeSH, 1991

chromatin:
The material of CHROMOSOMES. It is a complex of DNA,
HISTONES, and nonhistone proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON- HISTONE) found
within the nucleus of a cell. MeSH, 1972

chromosome:
A self-replicating structure consisting of DNA complexed
with various proteins and involved in the storage and transmission of genetic
information; the physical structure that contains genes (cf., plasmid).
Eukaryotic cells have a characteristic number of chromosomes per cell (cf.
ploidy [haploid or diploid]) and contain DNA as linear duplexes ... The chromosomes
of bacteria consist of double- stranded, circular DNA molecules. MeSH

One of the threadlike "packages" of genes and other DNA in the nucleus
of a cell. Different kinds of organisms have different numbers of chromosomes.
Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in all: 44 autosomes and
two sex chromosomes. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair,
so children get half of their chromosomes from their mothers and
half from their fathers. NHGRI Narrower terms: autosome, centromere, chromatin,
euchromatin, heterochromatin, homologous chromosomes, telomere Related terms chromosome maps, cytogenetics, diploid, euchromatic, haploid, karyotype,
ploidies, ploidy, somatic cell hybridization

cytogenetics:
Branch of genetics which correlates the structure and number of chromosomes as
seen in isolated cells with variation in genotype and phenotype. MeSH,
1967 Related terms: Genomics: genotype, phenotype

dendritic cells. A set of antigen- presenting cells
present in lymph nodes, spleen and at low levels in blood, which are
particularly active in stimulating T cells.
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendritic_cell

developmental biology:
The field of biology which deals
with the process of the growth and differentiation of an organism.
MeSH, 1990

differentiation: The process by which cells become structurally and functionally specialized during embryonic development.
Life Sciences

In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or
poorly- differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.
CancerNet Related terms:Stem cells multipotent, pluripotent,
totipotent Narrower term: cell differentiation-
or is this equivalent? Broader term: developmental biology

diploid: The number of chromosomes in most cells except the gametes.
In humans, the diploid number is 46. NHGRI Broader term:
ploidies, ploidy
Related
terms haploid;Sequencing haplotype

euchromatin:
Chromosome regions that are loosely packaged and
more accessible to RNA polymerases than HETEROCHROMATIN. These regions
also stain differentially in CHROMOSOME BANDING preparations. MeSH, 2001

exosomes: Vesicles
secreted from MULTIVESICULAR BODIES into the extracellular environment when the
multivesicular bodies fuse with the PLASMA MEMBRANE. Multivesicular bodies are
formed from ENDOSOMES when they accumulate vesicles (sometimes referred to as
"intraluminal vesicles") from inward budding of the endosome membrane.
MeSH 2009

Scientists are actively
researching the role that exosomes may play in cell-to-cell signaling ...Exosomes
are also referred to as microvesicles, epididimosomes, argosomes, exosome-like
vesicles, microparticles, promininosomes, prostasomes, dexosomes, texosomes, dex,
tex, archeosomes and oncosomes.[12]
This confusion in terminology has led to typical exosome preparations sometimes
being referred to as microvesicles and vice versa. Wikipedia "exosomes
(vesicle) accessed April 29 2012

extracellular matrix: A meshwork- like substance found within
the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of
the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting
structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere. MeSH, 1984
Related term:
Protein Structures basement membranes

An organelle composed of membranous sacs that packages proteins into vesicles and sends them to the cell's surface or to lysosomes.
NIGMS

haploid:
The number of chromosomes in a sperm or egg cell, half
the diploid number. NHGRI

A single set of chromosomes (half the full set of genetic material),
present in the egg and sperm cells of animals and in the egg and
pollen cells of plants. Human beings have 23 chromosomes in their reproductive
cells. Compare diploid. DOE Broader terms: ploidies,
ploidy Related terms: diploid; Sequencing
haplotype

heterochromatin:
The portion of chromosome material that remains
condensed and is transcriptionally inactive during INTERPHASE. MeSH, 1972

Highly repetitive lengths of DNA with little genetic information.

homologous chromosomes:
A pair of chromosomes containing the same
linear gene sequences, each derived from one parent. DOE

karyotype: A photomicrograph of an individuals
chromosomes arranged in a standard format showing the number, size, and shape of
each chromosome type; used in low- resolution physical mapping to
correlate gross chromosomal abnormalities with the characteristics of specific
diseases. DOE

lysis:
Cell rupture caused by physical or chemical means, or
by phage infection and propagation leading to the release of the cell content;
also the death of microorganisms after the stationary phase of a batch
fermentation. IUPAC Biotech

meiosis: The reductive cell division which results in daughter
cells containing one copy of each of the chromosomes of the parent. The
entire meiotic process involves two separate divisions (meiosis I and meiosis
II). The first division is a true reductive division with the chromosome
number being halved, whereas the second division resembles mitosis in many
ways. Thus, a diploid parental cell will give rise to haploid daughter
cells (cf. ploidy). IUPAC Biotech

A special method of cell division, occurring in maturation of the germ cells, by means of which each daughter nucleus receives half the number of chromosomes characteristic of the somatic cells of the species.
MeSH, 1968 Related term: cell cycle

mitochondria:
Organelles appearing in all eukaryotic cells which
produce ATP as useful energy for the cell by oxidative phosphorylation.
The proteins for the adenoseine 5’- triphosphate (ATP)- generating
electron transport of the respiration chain are located in the inner mitochondrial
membrane. Mitochondria contain many enzymes of the citric acid cycle and
for fatty acid [beta]- oxidation. Many of them are coded for by nuclear
DNA. IUPAC Biotech Related terms:ATP, mitochondrion; mitochondrial genes Gene
definitions

mitochondrion: The cell organelle that converts the energy in sugars into ATP, thereby fueling the cell.
NIGMS

mitosis:
The process whereby a cell nucleus divides into two
daughter nuclei, each having the same genetic component as the parent
cell. IUPAC Biotech

A method of indirect cell division by means of which the two daughter
nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of chromosomes
of the somatic cells of the species MeSH Related term:
cell cycle

morphometry: Measurement of shape, structure and form. Used in a
variety of disciplines, including environmental studies, geology, imaging and
cell biology.

multicellular:
Practically speaking, few processes peculiar to
multicellular organisms have meaning when abstracted from anatomy, a
particularly good example being developmental processes. The general consensus
is that 'when it gets multicellular, it gets complicated'. Minutes of Gene
Ontology Consortium Meeting 4- 6 November 2000 Lawrence Berkeley Labs
Meeting) http://www.geneontology.org/20001106_Berkeley.txt

Specific, usually subcellular, particles of membrane- bound organized
living substances present in practically all eukaryotic cells, including
mitochondria, the Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes,
centrioles and the cell center, as well as the plastids of plant cells.
Includes also the minute organs of protozoa concerned with such functions
as locomotion and metabolism. MeSH, 1989

ploidies: The degree of replication of the chromosome set
in the karyotype. MeSH, 1976

ploidy:
Indicates the number of sets of chromosomes present in
an organism, e.g. haploid (one) or diploid (two). IUPAC Biotech

programmed cell death:
Frequently, the terms 'apoptosis'
and 'programmed cell death' are used as synonyms. Programmed cell death was
originally used in order to describe the locally and temporally defined cell
death during embryogenesis. It was already in the middle of our century that
cell death was recognized as a natural process in the development of
organisms (Gluecksmann, 1951, Biol. Rev., 26: 59). Apoptopedia,
Cell Death Encyclopedia, 2001 http://www.celldeath.de/encyclo/index.html
Click on A, go to Apoptosis entry and click on more. Narrower
term: apoptosis

prokaryote:
A unicellular organism characterized by the absence
of a membrane- bound nucleus.. Includes bacteria, blue- green algae (Cyanobacteria)
and mycoplasmas. IUPAC Biotech

ribosomes:
Subcellular unit composed of specific rRNA molecules
and a large number of proteins that are responsible for protein synthesis.
IUPAC Compendium

Cellular organelle that is the site of protein synthesis.
NHGRI

Early in 1958, a three-day symposium on microsomal particles
in protein synthesis met at MIT, sponsored by the Biophysical Society, organized
by Richard Roberts, who was head of a group at the Carnegie Institution in
Washington... The most important development at the meeting was semantic.
Roberts suggested that for clear and handy distinction between the particles and
the amorphous cellular fraction of protein and fat in which they were found, the
particles themselves should be called "ribosomes" - short for
"ribonucleoprotein particles of the microsome fraction." The new term
quickly spread into general use. HJ Freeman, Eighth Day of Creation Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1996, p. 338

second messenger: An intracellular metabolite or ion increasing
or decreasing as a response to the stimulation of receptors by agonists,
considered as the "first messenger". This generic term usually does not
prejudge the rank order of intracellular biochemical events. IUPAC Medicinal
Chemistry

second messenger systems:
Systems in which an intracellular signal
is generated in response to an intercellular primary messenger such as
a hormone or neurotransmitter. They are intermediate signals in cellular
processes such as metabolism, secretion, contraction, phototransduction,
and cell growth. Examples of second messenger systems are the adenyl cyclase-
cyclic
AMP system, the phosphatidylinositol diphosphate- inositol triphosphate
system, and the cyclic GMP system. MeSH, 1989

A multi-step signal amplification process used by the cell to transmit, for example, signals from many hormones that cannot enter the cell directly.
NIGMS

spliceosomes:
Organelles in which the splicing and excision reactions
that remove introns from precursor messenger RNA molecules occur. One component
of a spliceosome is five small nuclear RNA molecules (U1, U2, U4, U5, U6)
that, working in conjunction with proteins, help to fold pieces of RNA
into the right shapes and later splice them into the message. MeSH, 1993 Related
term: splicing Sequences DNA & beyond

subcellular fractionation: Concentrating a sample by separating
out certain compartments of the cell. Allows study of cellular compartments
and can provide greater resolution and sensitivity.

T-Lymphocytes
T Cells:
Lymphocytes responsible for
cell- mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES,
HELPER- INDUCER). They are
formed when lymphocytes circulate through the thymus gland and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.
MeSH, 1990

telomere:
A terminal section of a chromosome which has a specialized
structure and which is involved in chromosomal replication and stability.
Its length is believed to be a few hundred base pairs. MeSH, 1992
Involved
in aging and senescence.

tissue: An aggregate of cells with different specialized characteristics that
are organized anatomically, usually in the fixed framework of an organic
matrix. The architectural organization that is maintained contributes to
the performance of the specific collective function. Tissues are parts of
organs. The term tissue is most often referred to in the context of solid
tissue, as originating from a solid organ; however, tissue also can be
defined broadly to include collections of cells and the extracellular
matrix and/or intercellular substances from bodily fluids such as blood
(NCI Best Practices working definition). BioLINC
Glossary, NHLBI https://biolincc.nhlbi.nih.go

transient
molecular complexes: Many
critical activities in a cell are spatially and/or temporally dependent on the
creation and destruction of transient complexes of macromolecules. By
definition, the components of the interactions within transient complexes are
difficult to capture and characterize, yet this information is essential for
robust modeling that can accurately describe how diseases develop and progress.
Enabling high levels of precision in modeling will in turn lead to the rational
identification of new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Extension of existing
technologies and development of new technologies and processes for better
characterization of these complexes could therefore have a critical impact,
ultimately leading to new diagnostics and treatments for clinical application.
Recent advances in molecular biology have demonstrated that many gene products
that promote disease development can have multiple activities that are dependant
on their associations with other macromolecules in transient complexes. ..
The rational development of new therapies requires a detailed knowledge of all
the activities and interactions of aberrant gene products, yet methods for the
identification and characterization of transient interactions are extremely
limited. Researchers need access to new technologies to enable this critical
research. New
Technologies for Transient Molecular Complex Characterization (SBIR [R43/R44])
NIH Program
Announcement (PA) Number: PA-08-110 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-110.html

virtual
cell: The Virtual Cell is a unique computational environment for
modeling and simulation of cell biology . It has been specifically
designed to be a tool for a wide range of scientists, from experimental
cell biologists to theoretical biophysicists. The creation of biological
or mathematical models can range from the simple, to evaluate hypotheses
or to interpret experimental data, to complex multi-layered models used to
probe the predicted behavior of complex, highly non-linear systems. Such
models can be based on both experimental data and purely theoretical
assumptions. http://www.nrcam.uchc.edu/

IUPAC definitions are reprinted with the permission of the International
Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.